Black Women at Increased Risk for Cancer Linked to Hair Straighteners:
Many women use chemicals on their hair. From perms to hair dye to straighteners, changing your hair is almost a rite of passage in the U.S. But for black women, the use of chemical straighteners is even more prevalent. But recent research reveals that using chemical relaxers can lead to uterine, breast, and ovarian cancer, and some members of Congress are raising the alarm.
Study Raises More Concerns About Cancer Risk
In October 2022, the National Institutes of Health published a study demonstrating the link between the use of chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer. The study included more than 33,000 women involved in a sister study to identify risks for breast cancer and other health conditions. While following the women for 11 years, the study identified 378 uterine cancer cases among the women. Those who used chemical hair straighteners had the highest risk of uterine cancer, with a stronger association among those who used them most frequently. Other hair products, such as hair dye and perms, weren’t associated with increased cancer risk.
Black Women Are at Risk
Black women are at higher risk for possible health complications after using chemical straighteners because they use them more often and for longer periods. With new hair growth, women often relax their hair every six to eight weeks, increasing their exposure to harmful chemicals. Researchers in the sister study acknowledged that black women might be at higher risk because of the “higher prevalence of use, initiation at younger ages, and more toxic formulations” of hair straighteners.
Congressional Representatives Urge FDA Investigation
With concern for the recent NIH study, Congressional representatives Shontel Brown of Ohio and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts sent a joint letter to the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. In the letter, they urged the FDA to investigate the potential health threat posed by chemical hair straighteners, stating, “Consumers need to be reassured that the cosmetic products they use do not threaten their health. It is critical that the agency act quickly to address these legitimate concerns.” The letter also noted, “Black women use these products at a higher rate than others and could be disproportionately impacted. In order to protect public health, we urge the FDA to reevaluate the safety of these products.”
Hire the Skilled Attorneys at the Madeksho Law Firm
Even if the FDA acts to protect consumers, in many cases, the damage has already been done. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer that may be linked to your use of chemical hair straighteners, call us at 888-910-6376 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. There's never a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
